Thabiti Anyabwile – The Image of God and Racial Reconciliation: A Biblical Theology of Kingdom Diversity

1. The Original Creation. What does it mean that we are made in the image of Good.

Gen 1:26-27 In our image after our likeness.

What exactly does “image” mean? Dominion? Communicable characteristics of God? Love? Focus here on the basics.

*It sets us apart from all of the rest of God’s creation. We are priceless and irreplaceable. By God’s design we reflect God’s image. Male and female and whatever skin color. Gender is a DIVINE construct.

CS Lewis. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal…It is immortals with whom we journey.

We have never met mere mortals.

Racial reconciliation begins with the habit of seeing one another as possessors of the imago dei and possessors of the value infused by God.

Requires skill and practice. The renewing of our minds with regard to racial identity. We tend to avoid those who are not like us, as a natural act. We need to renew our minds to on the basis of reconciliation thinking. We must break stereotypes.

2. The distorted image. Creation. Sin.

This is not the world as God made it. Genesis 3. The Serpent tempts our human parents and they sin, subjecting all of creation and history to the effects of sin. Genesis 4. Cain murders Abel. Gen 4:19, Polygamy. Genesis 6 and humanity is destroyed.

What happened to the image of God? Genesis 9:6 recalled them into understanding image. The image is distorted by not lost.

When we come to racial reconciliation, we have to take sin seriously. It can’t be done by practical Pelagians or those who deny human depravity. You cannot educate people out of racism. You cannot do in human strength what can only be done by the redemption of God.

Sin must be dealt with and removed. How can Christians pull down the blinds and turn out the lights on this discussion? To be called racist is horrible and no one wants to risk that. But we have to accept the fact that our hearts are wicked and the darkness dwells within us. The gospel frees us to tell the truth about what lurks in our hearts and then it deals with it.

the church is so often impotent because it is unable to confess its sins or admit them. Do we do better by pretending?

If racism does not exist it would be the first sin that has been eradicated by human effort. No, it lurks in every heart and even where we have victory over it we are not free from it. We must set a guard over our hearts. Denying sin does not lead to victory. We must take seriously the reality of sin.

3. The recreated image of God in redemption.

In Christ, the image is recreated. It is Christ who will win the battle! That is what he did at the Cross. He killed the hostility that divided Jew and Gentile. Racial animosity cannot stand against the power of Christ.

Ephesians 4:17 No longer walk as Gentiles do. 18. Gentiles are darkened and alienated. but that is not how you learned Christ- assuming you were taught in him. New man is created after the likeness of God.

What the fall distorted, Christ restores.

Colossians 3:5 Put to death what is earthly in you. v7 In these once you walked. Verse 9 new self being renewed after the image of the Creator. In this there is not races, but “Christ is all and in all.”

You cannot be a Christian and be opposed to the reconciliation of the Body of Christ. It is part and parcel of the work of Christ. Reconciliation is not an implication of the Cross it is the Work of the Cross. It’s primary to the work of Christ, not secondary or tertiary.

This country’s greatest sin has been racism. So we need to address the issue in churches. We need to make it an issue. If we hold one another accountable. We are weak when the Fergusons erupt.

4. The Final bearing of the Image of God.

Glorification. 1 John 3:1-3. that we should become children of God. We are now, and what we will be has not appeared, but when he appears we shall be LIKE HIM. This is both your identity and your destiny. You are God’s child now. A fact. One day, it will get even better. Seeing Christ will actually make us like him. The work will be completed.

Today the work progresses, then it will be completed.

Racial Reconciliation rests on this basis. You’ve never seen a mere mortal!

I appreciate you Dave for posting your notes from these sermons. I have enjoyed them and appreciate the opportunity of being able to learn from them. I’m proud of Southern Baptists and all involved for hosting this event. I’m glad we are addressing this sin in our lives, churches, denominations, countries, and world through the gospel of Christ. May God receive glory as the gospel goes forth and changes hearts and renews minds.

I’ve heard this gentlemen give this message many times. It is a message that needs to be repeated to your neighbor, …and then you get up the next morning and repeat it again! Then you have lunch, and repeat it again.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave”

All His children are taught that same desire and habit, by the Spirit!

I too appreciate Dave’s willingness and ability to post these outlines. Have a safe drive home.

March 28, 2015 7:14 am

John K

Thanks Dave for covering this conference. I have been able to follow it thus far only from your notes. Your notes so far in my view have pointed out to me that we have not truly been transformed by the text that we read and disciple on so often. We still live and speak in tones of culture and community.

I think of a Galilean that went into Jerusalem to teach about the transformation he offers. I am reminded how he sat down by a well and spoke with a Samaritan and offered unity. How he offers life in his kingdom to those who believe.

I know it is controversial here to speak how God created one and only one race. It is not my intent to be controversial believe me, it is just how I read and discern the text. Man has created communities and cultures and within these communities divisions. I read on this blog how we divide amongst communities and culture. I know, I have participated in the division.

I always see how you are always looking for ways to unite us rather than divide us. Thanks Dave for all your hard work, It has helped me become a better person in Christ.

One other thing that crossed my mind during these last two days, is that the content, that some of the old guys, and a slew of young guys were discussing is nothing really new at all.

The test of reconciliation is “are you willing to reconcile, and actually do it”, or to say it another way,…are you willing to love your neighbor, with word and deed?

Simple stuff! The conference seemed to be just a microcosm of a generation trying to address prejudice once again, yet actually trying to discuss it truthfully. Not all the stuff was spot on IMHO, but wow, it beats sitting around the table with cousins and extended family blaming others or pretending that prejudice seems to be “less” than 50 years ago. Those of us that live in this infant country called America, sometimes do find it hard to understand how a prophet can instantly get to the core of this same problem in an instant, and drive out hundreds of years of prejudice in just a few minutes. Evans delivered an excellent point in that regard…. Real Christians do real deeds without excuses.

Conferences really don’t help further this conversation. That’s up to the men and women that claim to know Christ, in their communities, and on a daily basis.

March 28, 2015 9:15 am

Tarheel

Chris,

Thank you very much. I always enjoy your posts, comments and and perspectives.